Avengers #93, Marvel Comics, (November 1971)
Recently I spent a good whack of money on a nice little pile of raw books. I had to pay a hefty premium for some of the hotter books like Fantastic Four #52 and Avenger #55 but I did manage a deal or two on some of the others.
As I priced up the pile I reached the nice tight copy of Avengers #93, I couldn’t put it down.
What a great Neal Adams cover! This was a nice copy and I did pay good money for it but I was able to buy it for well below guide, I did not have to pay a premium for it.
I looked the book over and began rhyming off all the positives it would deliver its lucky future owner. The more things that came to mind the more I realized Avengers #93 had to be this week’s Undervalued Spotlight.
It felt good picking this book. There’s no speculation, there’s no movie announcement, there’s no two second screen shot at the end of the credits, there’s just lots and lots of quality.
Avengers #93 is a major intersection that has so many collecting strains running through it. The book is mighty, a stalwart for decades, it’s like the Arc de Triomphe with all those avenues heading towards and moving away from it.
Where should I start?
OK, let’s start with the Kree/Skrull War, Roy Thomas’ epic arc that ran from Avengers #89 through to Avengers #97. The Kree/Skrull Arc is classic Cosmic Marvel and this arc set the standard for the early Bronze Age. I’ve actually posted Avengers #89 in a past Spotlight because that book launched this now classic arc.
I also thought of the Neal Adams angle. This is a classic Adams issue, easily one of his most sought after Marvel works. Neal Adams is the most collected of Bronze Age artists, well ahead of Wrightson, Starlin and the others. This is Neal Adams! The man who saved Batman! The Neal Adams collecting strain is alive and well.
Personally Avengers #93 is a favorite because it is the beast that anchors my favorite Marvel Bronze Age collecting strain – the November 1971 25 cent issues. Oh I could go on about how cool it is to collect these issues. Check out my Spotlight #94 for more info.
Even within the Avengers run this book is nestled in that most collectible Bronze Age era. It is always such a pleasure going through Avengers issues between #71 and #118, this was truly a golden era for the Avengers.
I should also mention the book’s street cred. Avengers #93 has tons of it and it’s always been a sought after book. I think perhaps today, in the whirl of all the speculation going around, the book is being neglected.
I think this is a great time to pick up a nice – say CGC 9.2 copy of this book.
I had a quick check online and I see 9.2s of Avengers #93 are selling for 9% premium above guide. Compare that with the 33% premium Avengers #89 is getting and the 90% premium Avengers #87 (Black Panther origin) is getting and you can see what I’m talking about.
The 44th edition of the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide shows $89/$195/$300 as the 8.0/9.0/9.2 price splits.
Strengths that make this comic book a good long-term investment are:
- Giant 52 page Neal Adams extravaganza!
- Kerr/Skrull War issue
- November 1971 issue
I can only echo what you have laid out here Walt. I love this book and the whole 1971 collecter strain. It is unique in the Silver/Bronze age Marvel universe.
I added a piece to this collection on Sunday at the Toronto Comic Show. The book I picked up was Fear #5 and even better, it was purchased from CBD’s own Charlie Kim. Very nice meeting you Charlie and hope the rest of the day went well for you.
I recieved a call and had to leave the show earlier than I wanted, but I can say this is a very worthwhile event to attend. It’s pretty much all comics and some art. It is an initimate venue and its easy to talk to the dealers. There are also some good deals to be had in the bins! I am certain I will be back on some cold sunday afternoon this winter and spend more time there..
Nice meeting you as well Mike. Call me clairvoyant but I had a feeling you weren’t Spider-Man ^_^
It was a fun show… If you’ve got the time and the inclination you should consider setting up as well. I think most of us keep doing the show because it’s fun and it’s just another way to engage the hobby. This is basically us without the furry hats:
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I still have fond memories of comics when talent helped to determine a books value. A Neal Adams book was difficult to acquire as a kid due to its high value. At this stage, comics were more recognized as art as opposed to just being key. Perhaps the pendulum will swing back the other way some day.
Hey Walt, can you believe that some vendors had their X-Force #2 priced as high as $127 at Sundays show. If you’ve still got your inventory, now might be a good time to let those babies fly on eBay.
Nice pick, Walter. Neal Adams’ art was so influential for later artists, so his issues are definitely sought after by collectors. Also his work on the Avengers doesn’t seem to be as well known as his work on Bronze Age D.C. issues so this definitely makes this issue overlooked.
Hey Charlie. $127? Seems kind of low for a second appearance of Deadpool.
Kidding aside I’m sure that one got loaded back in the van.
Hey, while I have you… are you setting up at the Informa show this weekend?
Always loved this issue Walter.Very much a Fantastic Voyage storyline.Tom Palmers inks on Neal Adams were terrific!
Hi Walt… I’m not but I might try and pop by. It seems like a lot of work to lug all those boxes down town + $$ for parking, etc. Believe it or not, I made more money this past Sunday at TCBS than I did at the 3 day Toronto Comic Con last spring (after expenses). I’ve been learning as I go along… I’m working on a post about it… hope have it finished soon.
OK Charlie – I’m trying to swing a trip in to that con. Hope to see you there.